Amusement bide



s. s. HESTER AMUSEMENT R-IDE July 1, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 2, 1948 Jul 1 1952' Filed Jan. 2. 1948 s. s. HESTE'R 2,601,832

AMUSEMENT RIDE "e Sheets-Sheet 5 r July 1, 1952 S.YS.IHESTER 2,601,832

AMUSEMENT RIDE Fil ed Jan. 2, 1948 e Sheeos-Sheet e Patented July 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in an amusement ride for carnivals, amusement parks, and the like, and more particularly to a captive ride that gives added thrill and entertainment without the sacrifice of any degree of safety whatsoever so that it is particularlysuitable for children.

Amusement rides particularly suitable for children, in common use today, are very little different from those used for many years. Childrens amusement rides are mainly of the simple Merry-Go-Round type even though in som instances simulated automobiles or other like vehicles have been substituted for the Merry-Go-Round ponies of by-gone years. In the case of adult amusement rides, new thrills have been added in rocket cars, captive airplanes, and the like, but on these rides children as a rule are not permitted, or are permitted only when held or accompanied by an adult.

It is an object of the present invention to add thrills and excitement to the merry-go-round type of amusement ride, without sacrificin in any degree the inherent safety of such a ride, thus keeping it eminently desirable for a childrens amusement ride.

Another object is to provide an amusement ride which can be manufactured at relatively low cost, which is inexpensive to operate, and which can be readily assembled and disassembled so that it can be transported with ease from one location to another.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved amusement ride in which the passenger carrying bodies or vehicles are propelled in reverse directions over intersecting orbits and in which a switch means is provided at the intersection of the orbits which is automatically operated to shift the bodies or vehicles from one orbit to the next each time a vehicle completes a circuit of an orbit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved ride in which the passenger carrying vehicles seem from time to time to be catching up with one another so as to give the illusion that they are about to collide, without, however, there being any possibility that such a collision will occur.

A still further object is to provide a ride in which the vehicle is kept in a predetermined orbit, with its position relative to other vehicles on the ride being also predetermined and automatically controlled.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a medial sectional view of the structure showing the relative position of the track forming platform, the standards for supporting the same, the power source, and a protective covering or canopy with its supporting poles;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the track forming platform for that form of the invention in which an odd number of cars is used, nine being shown, and is taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of that portion of the track forming platform where the two orbit defining tracks intersect showing the arrangement of the drive chains, idler sprockets, and switching means at this intersection;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken on a longitudinal plane showing the motor and gear train for operating the drive chains, and is taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the drive chain at the intersection of the orbits showing a pair of pickup couplers on the opposite drive chains synchronized and in engagement with the hitch of a passenger carrying vehicle;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the sections making up the track forming platform with one of the platform standards in section to show the manner in which the units making up a platform section may be secured together and the location of the drive chain idler sprockets, and is taken along the line 66 of Fig. '7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is an inverted view, the top surface of the track being at the bottom of the figure, and illustrates the relative position of the track supporting structure;

Fig. 8 is an inverted perspective view of one of the track supporting standards;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention using an even number of cars, ten being shown;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the device shown in Fig. 9, showing the relative position of the assembled sections of track form ing platform and a modified form of vehicle switching means; and

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I II l of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In both embodiments shown, the passenger carrying bodies which may simulate automobiles in appearance move upon a slotted platform which forms a track or orbit conforming generally in outline to a figure 8. The slots in each half of the platform are circular, and these slots intersect tangentially in a central or intersecting section of the platform structure. This platform is supported upon demountabl standards and a series of idler sprockets are rotatably secured on the underside of the platform adjacent the circular intersecting slot therein. These sprockets carry a pair of drive chains, each of which has a plurality of pickup forks or couplers for making releasable engagement with a hitch on the passenger carrying vehicles. The chains are driven in reverse directions in synchronism from a powor source through suitable gearing and thus move the passenger carrying vehicles in opposite directions over the two orbits.

Preferably the device is provided with a plurality of vehicles mounted in spaced relation to each other, and each provided with a hitch depending through the track slot in a position to be engaged by pickup couplers on forks carried by the chains so that the cars are propelled about the track by the rotating chains. A switching means is mounted underneath the central section of the track, which is automatically operated by each passing car in such a manner that each car after completing a circuit around one of the intersecting loops or orbits will be shifted to the loop or orbit intersecting therewith and there coupled to a pickup fork or coupler on the drive chain associated with the latter orbit and after it has completed a circuit of this second orbit, it will again be switched to the first orbit. Thus an individual vehicle will travel around one orbit in a clockwis direction, switch to the other orbit and travel around it in a counterclockwise direction, switch again to the first orbit, and o on, continuing in such a path of travel so long as the power is applied to drive the chains. In either form, however, an amusement ride is provided which achieves the objects of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and .2

more particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that a track forming platform, indicated in its entirety by the number 2%, is provided over which is moved a plurality of passenger carrying bodie or vehicles 22. This platform, which may be shaped like a figure 8, includes a unitary central section 24 and a plurality of quadrilateral sections 26 of duplicat construction so that they may be used interchangeably and may be readily stacked upon the central section for storage or transportation.

The central section it, which i generally X- shaped, has oppositely disposed stems 28 extending diagonally from a central portion 38, which forms the intersection of these stems. The stems 28 and central portion 39 correspond in length to each of the sections 25 so that this central section 24, in effect, forms three lengths of each loop of the platform. The sections 28, which are shaped like isosceles trapezoids may be interfitted with the ends of th stems 2B and with each other to form the two closed loop making up the complete figure 8 shaped platform. For the platform shown in Fig. 2, six of these sections are used in each loop.

Each of the sections 26 and the central section 24 may be made of relatively light weight deck plate or from planking suitably secured together. The sections 26 are each provided with an arcuate slot 32 which slot is of the same radial dimensions and similarly located in each of these sections so that the slots in the assembled sections will register with each other. The central section 24 is provided with two arcuate slots 36 of the same radial dimensions as the slots 32 and these slots extend through the oppositely disposed stems 28 and intersect tangentially in the central portion 30 of thi central section. The slots 34 are so located that the ends of the same register with the slots 32 in the quadrilateral sections 25 interfitted with the stems 28 when the platform is assembled so that the registering slots in the sections going to make upa platform define two circular track or orbit forming slots 36 and 38 of like diameter intersecting in the central portion 33 of the central section 24 of the platform.

It will be noted that the slots 32 in effect divide the sections 26 into two separate units. However, these two units may be held in fixed relation to form a unitary section by suitable means such as channel shaped brackets (not shown) straddling the slot or they may be held in fixed relation solely by the standards which support the platform and which will now be described. In the device of the present invention, support for the platform is provided by a plurality of base supports or standards 4%. best seen in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8, which serve as a means for detachably securing the units forming the sections 26 in fixed relation, and as a means for securin the sections 25 to each other or to the central section 28 of the platform so that the platform may be readily assembled on location or disassembled for transportation or storage. Thus one of these standards will be required at each junction between the quadrilateral sections 26 or between these sections and the stems 23 of the central section 24.

Referring to Fig. 8 wherein a standard is shown in inverted position, it will be seen that they are generally rectangular in shape and while they may be made from structural members or plates preferably of a light weight metal alloy, suitably.

secured together as by welding, they may also be made as a wood frame in which the separate members are secured together by bolts, screws or other suitable securing means.

Each standard includes a base t2 which may be a T-beam conforming in length to the width of the platform along the adjoining edges of a pair of quadrilateral sections 26, inner and outer vertical end members 44 and a top consisting of two T-sections 46 and 48 spaced from each other at a point intermediate the length of the standard a distance corresponding to the width of the slots 36 and. 38 in the platform. Reinforcement for the standard is provided by a generally Y-shaped web 50 secured at its lower end to the web on the base 42 as by welding and having laterally extending arms 52 which are secured to the webs of the two T-sections forming the top of the standard. This web 50 thus spans the slot between the two top sections 45 and 48 and is cut out as indicated at 54 for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. Preferably the vertical end pieces 44 are V-shaped in cross section so that they will extend in aligned relation with the parallel inner and outer peripheral edges of adjoining platform sections when the platform is assembled.

In order to provide both support for the platform and a means for securing the platform sections together, a plurality of apertures 56 is provided in each of the top sections 46 and 48 on opposite sides of the webs of these sections. These apertures 56 on each side of the web are made to correspond in number and spacing to a series of apertures 58 along the inclined edges of each quadrilateral platform sections 26, as indicated in Fig. 6, so that. the adjoining edges of adjacent sections of the platform may be secured to the same standard by means of bolts 59 passing through the apertures 58 and the registering apertures 56 in the T-sections 46 and 48 forming the top of the standard. Thus each standard supports the adjoining ends of two adjacent sections 26 in the platform and thereby secures these sections in position with respect to each other and at the same time secures the units making up these sections in fixed relation to each other. In this manner all of the sections of platform may be interconnected with each other and with the stems 28 on the central section 24 to form the unitary platform 20 for the vehicles.

As previously mentioned the registering arouate slots 32 in the assembled sections 26 of the platform, together with the slots 34 in the central section 24, form two continuous circular slots 36 and 33 which intersect at the central portion 30 of the central section 24 of the platform, and when the device is in operation, these two circular slots form unobstructed tracks or orbits for guiding the passenger carrying vehicles 22 around the platform 20. These vehicles are moved around the orbits or tracks thus formed by a pair of endless power operated block or sprocket drive chains Eli and 62, best seen in Figs. 3 and 5. These chains are carried on the underside of the platform immediately below the circular orbit forming slots 36 and 38 by means of a series of idler sprockets 64, best seen in Figs. 3 and 6.

One of these sprockets is secured at an intermediate point in each of the quadrilateral sections 26 adjacent the inner edge of the slot 32 therein, as indicated in Fig. 6. These sprockets may be secured upon sprocket shafts 66 suitably secured at opposite ends to the underside of the sections 26 and to a channel shaped bracket 68 depending from the underside of the platform. Each of the standards 40 also carries one of these sprockets 64 in a laterally extending part of the cutout portion 54 of the web 50 journaled upon a shaft iii carried at its upper end in an aperture 12 in top section 45, and bifurcated at its lower end to straddle the web 50 to which it is fixed by a rivet or bolt 14 passing diametrically through the end of the shaft and through an aperture 16 in the web of the standard. Thus in the assembled platform the idler sprockets 64 are spaced a distance corresponding to half the length of the arcuate slot 32 in the section 26 of the platform.

Two idlers 6d are also secured to the underside of each of the stems 28 of the central platform section 24 in the same manner as the sprockets that are secured to the sections 26 and spaced to correspond with the spacing between the sprockets carried on the section 26 and the standards ac, as indicated in Fig. 3. All of ,these sprockets are preferably provided with nonfriction bearings of conventional construction to reduce power consumption.

In addition to the idler sprockets 64 above described, a pair of drive pinions 18 are also carried below the underside of the central portion 34) of the center section 24 of the platform in the plane of the idler sprocket 64 and diametrically opposite the intersecting portion of the two orbit defining circular slots 36 and 38. These drive pinions are spaced from the idler sprockets on each side thereof a distance corresponding to the distance between adjacent idler sprockets so that in effect they form a part of the train of sprockets which define the orbits over which the drive chains are moved.

From the above description of the sprocket train, it will be apparent that the idler sprockets 64 and drive pinions 18 all lie in a common plane and define generally circular orbits over which the drive chains 60 and 62 engaged upon the sprockets will be driven.

The two drive pinions 78 previously mentioned are fixed upon vertical drive shafts 80 housed within a gear and motor casing indicated in its entirety by the number 82 in Figs. 3, 4 and 10. This casing includes a bottom wall 84 end walls 86 having terminal flanges adapting the same for securement to the underside of the platform and to the top side of the bottom wall 84. Preferably the casing is disposed upon the longitudinal axis of the platform under the central portion 39 of the central platform section 24 so that it forms a support for this section.

The drive shafts 8H for the drive pinions 13 are vertically disposed in the casing 82 and are journaled at opposite ends in bearings 88 carried on the underside of the central platform section 24 and the bottom of the casing. These shafts are driven by an electric motor 90 secured in the casing through a pinion 92 on the motor shaft which is in driving engagement with one of a pair of intermeshing gears 95 of duplicate con struction, one of which is fixed on each of the drive shafts 80. t will be apparent that in the arrangement described the two drive pinions i8 are driven at the same speed but in reverse directions when the motor is operating so that the drive chains iii] and 62 are driven in reverse directions but at synchronized speeds.

Since the motor shaft pinion 92 and gears 94 effect a reduction in speed, a motor of one and one-half to two horse power will deliver sufficient power to operate a nine or ten car ride but a small internal combustion engine may be used in place of the electric motor if that is preferable. If desired a clutch may be used to engage and disengage the motor shaft and the drive pinion 92 but since a conventional clutch will be suitable for this purpose, a description of the 7 same is not thought to be necessary.

Each of the drive chains 6!] and 62 carries a series of couplers 96 for operatively connecting the vehicles on the platform to the chains. These couplers may be in the form of forks having a base 98 equal in length to the length of the links in the chains so that they may be secured to the chains by engaging the same upon the pins connecting the links together, as indicated in Fig. 5. The tines lfifl on the forks flare outwardly at their free ends so as to facilitate engagement of disengagement of the same with the hitch on the vehicle. The number of forks carried by each drive chain should correspond to the total number of vehicles in the ride. For example, if there are nine vehicles used on the ride, then each chain should carry nine forks, and if there are ten vehicles, each chain should carry ten forks and these forks should be spaced at equal intervals upon the chains. In order that the forks on two chains may pass each other at the intersection of the orbits traveled by the chains, those forks mounted on one chain are secured on the upper side thereof, While those secured on the other chain are mounted on the underside thereof, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The passenger carrying vehicles may be made in any desired shape or form. For example, they may simulate an automobile in appearance. Those shown are designed for a single passenger but they may, of course, be made larger and each vehicle is provided with four castertype wheels, as indicated in Fig. 1. Y

Each of the vehicles is provided with a hitch V32 adapted to be engaged by the couplers 96 on the drive chains for operatively connecting the vehicles to the chains. These hitches may be in in the form of a depending drawbar fixedly secured by suitable means to the front end of the vehicle, as indicated in Fig. 1. These drawbars should be of sufficient length to extend downwardly for six or eight inches below the horizontal plane of the bottom of the car wheels so that they will project below the plane of the drive chains to and 62 when the vehicles are mounted on the platform, and thus will be in a position to be engaged by the couplers or forks 95 on the drive chains and to remain engaged therewith at all times when the ride is in operation.

One of the novel features of operation of the amusement ride of the present invention is the automatic transfer or switching of the vehicles from one orbit to the ot er which takes place each time a vehicle has completed a circuit around one of the orbits. In the form of the invention in which an odd number of cars is used, such as the nine shown in Fig. 2, a switch HEM of the type shown in Fig. 3 is used to effect this switching of cars alternately from one orbit to the other.

As indicated in that figure, the switch ltd is wedge-shaped and is pivotally secured upon a shaft 1% depending from the underside of the section 2d of the track on an axis intersecting with both of the intersecting slots 35 in this section. A pointed end [08 on the switch terminates adjacent the point of intersection of these slots, as indicated, so that it may be extended across the plane of either slot by tilting the switch off center to the right or the left.

The switch is biased oil center position by an over centering spring iii? which reacts between an abutment or bracket M2 pivotally secured to the switch opposite its pointed end upon the longitudinal axis of the switch and a second bracket or abutment M l pivotable upon a depending pin to the underside of the central section as of the platform on the same axis as the pivot shaft for the switch. A red H8 fixed to the bracket M2 and freely received in the bracket 5 may be provided for maintaining the brackets and spring positioned with respect to each other and stop pins H3, whi h engage with registering notches 22? on the back side of the switch, may be provided for limiting movement of the switch in either direction. Since the over centering spring liii xerts a constant biasing force on the switch ltd, it becomes effective as soon as the switch is moved beyond center to the right or left, to snap the switch to the extreme position permitted by the stop pins lit, and it will hold the switch in this position until an outside force, sufficient to overcome the force of the spring, is applied to the switch.

Operation of the switch can best be explained by reference to Fig. 3 in which the drawbar lei? of one of the vehicles is shown at the intersection of the track forming slots 3% and 33 in the platform and is engaged by synchronized couplers 98 on the two drive chains and 62 so that the veupwardly extending slot 38 by the arcuately curved sides of the switch while the coupler 96 on the lower drive chain 5i] moving to the right is drawn from engagement with the drawbar. This effects a shifting of the vehicle from the lower to the upper orbit and a reversal in the direction of rotation of the same.

As the drawbar moves forward in the slot 33, it engages an outwardly curved cam face I22 on the rear end of the switch which projects into the plane of the slot 38, thus causing the switch to pivot in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 3, against the opposition of spring H0. The cam face 122 projects sufficiently so that the switch will be pivoted beyond its dead center position. At the instant this occurs the spring lit will snap the switch to the limit of its off-center position opposite to the position shown in Fig. 3, thus conditioning the switch to direct the next vehicle entering the intersection into the lower slot 38. Each side of the switch is provided with a cam face 522 so that vehicles entering the intersection in succession are directed into opposite track forming slots or orbits.

To facilitate assembly and avoid error in set ting up the ride, the pickup forks 96 on each drive chain and (32 are numbered serially and, where nine vehicles are to be used,.nine such pickup forks will be mounted equally spaced on each drive chain as previously explained, and serially numbered 1 to 9. After the platform has been assembled, the drive chains to and 82 are threaded on their respective orbit-defining idler sprockets El and drive pinions 38 with the No. 1 pickup fork of both chains synchronized at the intersection of the orbit-defining circular slots 33 and 38 between the drive pinions H8. The drawbar of the No. 1 vehicle, the vehicles also being serially numbered, is inserted in the N o. 1 pickup fork at that point. Thereafter the vehicles bearing odd numbers, i. e., 3, 5, 7 and 9, are. operatively connected to the odd numbered couplers or pickup forks 96 on one of the drive chains so that there will be a vacant or inactive fork between each of these vehicles except between Nos. 1 and 9.

The even numbered vehicles are then operatively connected to the even numbered pickup forks 55 on the other drive chain so that at this point the vehicles are arranged as indicated in Fig. 2 where the odd numbered vehicles are shown on the lower orbit and the even on the upper. In this figure the arrows indicate the direction of rotation of the drive chains associated with the orbits, and as there indicated, the drive chain for the upper orbit rotates in a clockwise direction while that for the lower orbit rotates in a counterclockwise direction so that the vehicles attached to the two chains move in reverse directions around the orbits when the motor Si is operating.

After the vehicles have been arranged as above described, the switch iful is biased to close ofif the slot behind the vehicle No. 9 so that it is conditioned for directing vehicle No. 1 into the upper orbit when the motor is started. Upon starting of the motor, vehicle No. 1 switches to the upper orbit which carries the even numbered vehicles and throws the switch I66, causing vehicle No. 2 to switch to the lower orbit which carries the odd numbered vehicles when it moves into the intersection of thegorbits. As No. 2 passes the switch, it throws the same so that vehicle No. 3, which will be the next vehicle to arrive at the intersection, will be switched to the upper orbit. This periodic switching of vehicles between the orbits continues as long as the motor continues to opcrate.

Thus each vehicle will make one complete circuit of the upper orbit in a clockwise direction, centrifugal force throwing the passengers weight to his left, then the vehicle will be switched to the lower orbit for one revolution and because its direction of rotation is reversed, centrifugal force will throw the passengers weight to the right, and so on, each vehicle alternating in its travel around the two orbits of the figure 8 shaped track. The amount of centrifugal force applied to the passenger's body will, of course, depend upon the speed at which the cars are driven. Even a relatively low speed, however, will give new and added thrills to the already thrilling merry-go-round ride. An additional thrill results from the fact that a vehicle approaching the intersection on one orbit draws near to the vehicle on the opposite orbit which is about to be switched. This gives an illusion that one vehicle is catching up to the other although, of course, no collision is possible.

That form of the invention in which an even number of vehicles is to be utilized will best be understood by reference to Figs. 9 and 10 where ten vehicles are shown although any even number of vehicles may be used. If an even number of vehicles were used with the switching arrangement above described, the result would be a bunching of the same without alternate switch ing from orbit to orbit. This might result in collecting all of the vehicles on one orbit or in having two groups of yehicles, each of which 1" would continue to revolve about a single orbit, without transferring from one to the other.

To avoid such operation a switching mechanism is provided which is thrown or operated by the vehicle approaching the intersection of the orbits rather than by the vehicle which has passed through the intersection as is true in the first form of the invention. The details of this modified switching arrangement will best be seen in Figs. 10 and 11. shaped switch I 24 is pivotally secured upon a switch shaft I26 depending from the underside of the central section 24 of the. platform upon an axis aligned with the point of intersection of the two circular orbit defining slots 36 and 38 formed in the assembled platform. An over centering compression spring I28, secured at one end to an arm I30 on the rear end of the switch and at the other end to an anchor pin I32 depending from the platform, urges the switch off center in opposite directions and to an extent which may be limited by stop pins similar to the stop pins used with the corresponding switch previously described. A pointed end I35 on the switch I24 is, of course, made sufficiently long so that it can block off either slot in the central section 2 of the platform in the manner described for the corresponding switch used in the first form of the invention.

This switch is operated by an actuator I36 pivotally secured upon a shaft I38 depending from the underside of the platform on the op posite side of the intersection from the switch so that it is on the side from which the vehicles approach the intersection. The actuator and switch are interconnected by a link I49 engaged at one end with a'lateral crank arm I42 fixed to the actuator and at the opposite end with a lateral crank arm I44 fixed to the switch. In order to avoid interference between the switch As there indicated a wedge- 10 and its actuating mechanism and the drive chains, the switch shaft I26 and actuator shaft I38 are made sufficiently long so that the switch mechanism is supported below the plane of the drive chains as indicated in Fig. 11.

Referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the length of the link I 30 is so fixed thatthe tapered end I26 of the switch I24 and. a tapered end I46 on the actuator will be biased in opposite directions, and when the actuator is moved from one position tothe other, it will cause the switch to move from one position to the other but in an opposite direction through the crank arms I42 and M4 and the link I40.

Since the actuator I36 is on the side of the intel-section from which the vehicles approach the intersection, it will be apparent that the drawbar I22 of a vehicle approaching the intersection will first engage the actuator moving the same sumciently to reverse the setting of the switch I24. For example, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, where the drawbar I02 of a vehicle which has just completed a circuit of the lower orbit is shown at the intersection of the orbits and the drawbar I62 of a vehicle in immediate approaching relation to the intersection of the orbits is shown on the upper orbit, the first mentioned vehicle will be directed by switch I24 into the upper orbit. Almost immediately after the drawbar of this vehicle has passed the switch, the drawbar of the vehicle on the upper orbit will engage the actuator I36, moving the same in a direction to reverse the position of the switch from that shown in Fig. 10 so that it will direct the last mentioned vehicle from the upper to the lower orbit. Thus each vehicle as it approaches the intersection conditions the switch I24 to effect its own transfer from its orbit of approach to the intersecting orbit.

If, therefore, a plurality of vehicles, of even number, are in the first instance arranged on the platform so that their drawbars are engaged in every second pickup fork on the drive chains to and 62, rotation of the latter will cause each vehicle to make a complete circuit of one orbit, then switch itself to the other orbit, make one complete circuit of the latter orbit, and then switch itself again to the first mentioned orbit.

In both embodiments of the invention described and shown, the vehicles will rotate first around one orbit in a clockwise direction and then about the intersecting orbit in a counterclockwise direction, alternately shifting the centrifugal force operating against a passengers body first from one side and then to the other.

In both embodiments, there is provided a tent or canopy I it to protect the ride from the weather. This may be of canvas or any suitable material. It is centrally supported by center poles I555 having bases I52 resting upon the poles for each loop of the figure 3 track will be sufficient, although, of course, the number may be varied as desired.

While a 9 and 10 car ride have been described any even or odd number of cars could. be used depending on the size of the platform. In addition a specific switching mechanism for transferring cars from one orbit to the other in a particular order has been described. It will be apparent that other switching mechanism might be used to effect switching in this order or in a different but alternating or reverse order so that cars would be moved between intersecting orbits. Other modifications may be made in the structure described without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following claims, to include within the invention all such. variations and modifications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device, means forming an elevated platform having a continuous slot formed therein defining intersecting fixed orbits, a passenger carrying body, counterrotating power operated means for moving said body on said platform in reverse directions along said orbits, means for detachably coupling said body to the individual power operated means including a part projecting into said slot and co-opcrating therewith to guide said body, switch means, and means carried by said switch adapted to be. engaged by said coupling means to condition said switch for selectively shifting said coupling means between the individual power operated means to efiect a reversal in the direction of movement of said body periodically.

2. In an amusement device, a passenger carrying body, power operated means for rotating said body over intersecting orbits, means for directing said body through the intersection of said orbits including a switch member pivotally secured intermediate its ends, said switch member including a part on one side of the pivot axis thereof for blocking passage of said body from said intersection to the orbits individually and a part on the opposite side of said pivot axis adapted to project into the orbit open to said intersection, and means for reversing the position of said switch member including a part on said body adapted to engage the projecting part of said switch member as the body moves into the orbit open to said intersection for rocking said part toward the opposite orbit and thereby reversing the position of said switch member.

3. In an amusement device, a passenger carrying body, power operated means for rotating said body over intersecting orbits, a member operatively connecting said body and said power operated means, means for directing said body through the intersection of said orbits including a switch member rockable to block passage of said body from said intersection to the orbits individually, means for rocking said switch between orbit blocking positions including cam means on'opposite sides of said switch member adapted to project into said orbits when said switch member is in orbit blocking position and rockable reversely to said switch member for reversing the position of the latter, and said first mentioned member moving into the orbit open to said intersection for engaging said cam means to rock the same from the open orbit to the opposite orbit and thereby reverse the position of said switch member.

a. In an amusement device, means forming a generally plane surfaced elevated platform having a continuous open slot formed therein defining a pair of tangentially intersecting fixed circular orbits, a pair of power operated means associated with said fixed orbits, a plurality of passenger carrying bodies adapted to be'moved over said platform surface by each of said power operated means, means for detachably coupling each of said bodies to said power operated means including a part adapted to project through said slot'for guiding movement of said bodies, switch means for shifting said coupling means between the individual power operated means to effect a transfer of said bodies between said orbits, and means adapted to be engaged by said part at the intersections of said orbits to condition the switch for shifting said coupling means to effect transfer of said bodies between said orbits successively in reverse direction.

5. In an amusement device, means forming a stationary generally plane surfaced platform having a continuous slot therein defining tangentially intersecting fixed circular orbits, power operated means movable along said fixed orbits, a plurality of passenger carrying bodies adapted to be moved upon said platform surface along said fixed orbits by each of said power operated means, means for detachably coupling the bodies on one orbit to the power operated means associated with that orbit in alternate positional relation to the position of the bodies coupled to the power operated means associated with the other orbit including a part adapted to project through said slot to guide movement of said bodies, switch means for shifting said coupling means between the individual power operated means to effect a transfer of said bodies from one orbit to the other, and switch actuating means adapted to be operated by said projecting part to condition the switch for transferring bodies between the orbits successively in opposite directions for maintaining the alternate positioning of the bodies upon said orbits.

6. In an amusement device, means forming intersecting guide tracks, counterrotating power operated means associated with said guide tracks, driving couplers rotated in synchronism along said intersecting tracks by said power operated means, a passenger carrying body, means form ing a hitch on said body adapted to be engaged by said couplers for operatively connecting said body and said power operated means, said hitch including a part adapted to engage said tracks for guiding movement of said body, and means for shifting said body between said tracks to effect a reversal in the direction of rotation thereof periodically including a switch for shifting said hitch between the couplers synchronized at the intersection of said tracks, and

means on said switch engageable and actuated by said hitch for conditioning said switch to shift said hitch periodically.

'7. In an amusement device, means forming an elevated platform having a continuous open slot extending therethrough defining intersecting guide orbits, rotatable power operated means, a plurality of couplers rotated in synchronism below said intersecting orbits by each of said power operated means, a number of passenger carrying bodies less than the number of said couplers adapted to be moved on said platform along each of said orbits, a rod on each of said bodies depending through said slot to guide movement of said bodies and adapted to be detachably engaged by said couplers for operatively connecting said bodies to said power operated means in a positional relation synchronizing the em gaged couplers on one orbit with the unengaged couplers on the other orbit, means for transferring said bodies from one orbit to the other REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 14 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Jones Jan. 18, 1910 Darcy Dec. 6, 1910 Roed June 24, 1913 Thacher June 15, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Jan. 28, 1913 

